We’re not ripping off fans, says Celtic chief

BRIAN QUINN insists Celtic are not “ripping off” the supporters by launching a £15million share issue.

The Parkhead chairman has hit back at claims the board are again asking fans to dig them out of a hole.

Quinn said: “I’ve heard it suggested that Celtic are ripping off their supporters or going to the well too often.

“If you look at the offer document, it is an offer.

“We’re saying to the supporters, here is an offer and it’s up to you whether you want to respond to that offer or not.

“If you choose to make your commitment to Celtic in a different way fine, if you want to enhance that then we’re delighted. There is no obligation.”

Celtic went to the top of the League on Sunday with victory at Dundee United.

But Gordon Strachan has warned anybody getting carried away will be brought down a peg or two by his senior stars.

He said: “We have a number of players who’ve been here long enough to know what’s required and I know that I can rely on the likes of the Lennons and the Suttons to keep everyone’s feet firmly on the ground.

“I can’t see any of our players getting carried away in any case but if they do we’ve certainly got a few boys in there who’ll bring them back down to earth.”

Captain Lennon has also earned special praise from team-mate Stilian Petrov, who believes the midfielder does not get the recognition he deserves. “Lenny is great at his job,” Petrov said.

“I sometimes wonder if people really appreciate the job that he does but the players know exactly what he does for this team and how important he is.”

Meanwhile, Strachan is unhappy Shunsuke Nakamura is being called up for a match in Tokyo against Angola later this month because it is just three days before their Old Firm encounter with Rangers at Parkhead on November 19.

Striker Craig Beattie is facing six weeks of rehabilitation after tearing a hamstring on Sunday.